Former Lindsay mayor, judge David Logan fondly remembered

Former Lindsay mayor, judge David Logan fondly remembered

Special to This Week

Former Lindsay mayor and retired Ontario Superior Court justice, David Logan, passed away Jan. 17 at the age of 80. An avid gardener, historian and athlete, Mr. Logan will be deeply missed by all those who had the opportunity to know him.

(LINDSAY) Canada could use more Dave Logans.
Heartfelt words for a man who had a positive impact on many people, including Justice Bruce Glass, the one who spoke them.
“He was the best of everything,” he said of Mr. Logan who passed away on Jan. 17; just two days after his 80th birthday. “Dave’s whole approach to life was positive...He was always constructive in looking at the glass as half full.”
No matter what position he held - be it Lindsay town councillor and mayor, lawyer and judge, Trent University director or member of the Lindsay-Nayoro Twinning Committee - he was always looking at ways to make life better, said Mr. Glass who was not only a justice colleague but also a friend, business partner and fellow curler.
When it came to politics, in some ways, Mr. Logan was ahead of his time.
Mr. Logan held Lindsay’s mayoral post from 1972 until 1978, winning each time either by acclamation or with a huge majority. At one point, said Mr. Glass, the forward-thinking mayor had staff look into the prospect of constructing an incinerator at the landfill to supply low-cost energy for local factories. A study was completed but there was little support from the provincial and federal governments.
The concept was one of many debates former politician and now judge Lorne Chester recalls having after joining Lindsay council in 1976.
While there was never any “rancor” at meetings, there were several times when decisions were made via “Logan’s Law” where he would force a tie vote and use his rights as mayor to break it, said Mr. Chester.
His debating skills extended beyond the council chambers, though.
Mr. Chester enjoyed attending a variety of social functions with Mr. Logan where “good political debates” would inevitably make their way into conversation.
“We had a good political rapport,” said Mr. Chester. (Despite his successful mayoral campaigns, Mr. Logan ran, unsuccessfully in two federal elections, losing in 1965 and 1968 to Bill Scott.) “After, when he became a [Superior Court] judge...we wouldn’t see each other very often; sometimes only once or twice a year. But when we did, we would just pick up where we left off, trying to solve the world’s problems.”
Justice Drew Gunsolus remembers the day Mr. Logan took the bench; it was his own first day articling as a lawyer in motions court. It was a “first” for both men, albeit Mr. Logan’s experience gave him the upper hand.
“He was always a patient, kind individual. He always worried about those who came before him,” said Mr. Gunsolus who received his own appointment to the bench when Mr. Logan retired.
One reason why many remember Mr. Logan as a tough but fair justice had a great deal to do with who he was outside the courtroom.
“He was quite funny. He had a great sense of humour. He enjoyed life and family...He brightened up places with his upbeat attitude,” said former Lindsay mayor Max Radiff.
Barb Truax, who - along with her late husband Art - was both a school mate with Mr. Logan at Lindsay Collegiate Institute and neighbour, also agreed, adding he really was a man of many facets.
Mr. Logan loved his gardens and was also willing to go the extra mile to get the most out of his plants. At one point, he tested several different grass seeds, creating individual plots to determine which grew best before seeding the entire lawn. Another time, she said, he set up several hoses throughout his yard, connecting them to one tap so that he could water all of his garden at once, saving time.
He also enjoyed history, Mrs. Truax said, noting that, even when the Logans moved to Barrie, he would often return to his hometown to help the local historical society.
But perhaps what gave him greatest joy - outside his family - was sports.
There were few he didn’t tackle; hockey, football, curling, tennis, skiing and golf.
Mrs. Truax remembers watching many high school football games featuring Mr. Logan and her husband - years later with the Moyle’s Marauders Sunday mornings at I.E. Weldon Secondary School - and numerous conversations over sports.
“He was just a special man,” said Mrs. Truax.
Sadly, Mr. Logan’s health had declined significantly in recent years, Alzheimer disease claiming the brilliant mind and delightful disposition of an “all-around wonderful person”. The last three years of his life, Mr. Logan resided at the Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf.
Mr. Logan is survived by his wife Pamela, children Hugh (Patty), Peter (Tina) and Jocelyn (Robert) and his grandchildren David, Liam and Phoebe.
Visitation takes place Friday (Jan. 25), 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Mackey Funeral Home in Lindsay, with funeral services held at Cambridge Street United Church on Saturday (Jan. 26) at 2 p.m.
For more information, visit mackeys.ca